Will Book 2

1824 - 1854

Page 248 I, Clora Branham, a woman of color, legally emancipated and enjoying the rights and priviledge of a free woman of color, hereby constitute this paper as my last will and testament. First,  I direct my executor that immediately after my death, he sell  upon such reasonable terms as he may think proper, my land and all the personal property of which I am possessed and out of the proceeds pay all my just debts funeral expenses and cost of administration.  The balance of the money remaining, I devise to my executor in trust for the sole seperate and exclusive use and personal comfort of my three sons, all of whom are now slaves.  Known and called Peter Branham, Scott Branham and Wyatt Branham, to be equally divided and paid to each of them in person and not to any other person or persons whomsoever. Second,   In the event I should survive my executor or he should decline acting, I request the County Court to appoint a prudent safe and decent man as administrator with this my will annexed who is hereby invested with all the powers of my executor. Third,  My executor or administrator who may be appointed in the contingency above stated shall have full power to execute a conveyence in due form of my hand. Fourth,  I constitute Robert W, Scott executor of this my last will hereby revoking all other wills heretofor made by me. In witness whereof I have set my hand and affixed my seal this 18th of September 1851. Clora Branham Witness: James Harlan A. C. Keenon Franklin County Court, August term, September 4, 1854 A writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Clora Branham, decd. a free woman of color was produced and proved by the oath of James Harlan a subscribing witness thereto and it appearing to the Court that A. C. Keenan the other subscribing witness.  It was proved by the oaths of the said James Harlan that A. C. Keenan signed his name as a witness of said will in his presence and at the same and in the presence of the testatrix.  It is ordered that the said will be recorded and the same is duly recorded in my office. A. H. Rennick, CFCC